Podium vs Spokk: Which Review Management Tool is Right for Your Business?
Let's cut to the chase. You're here because you're trying to figure out if Podium is worth the price tag, or if Spokk can actually deliver what you need without the enterprise overhead.
This isn't another templated comparison where I list features in checkboxes and call it a day. I spent hours researching both platforms, reading hundreds of user reviews on G2 and Capterra, analyzing real pricing, and understanding what each platform actually does well (and what they don't).
TL;DR - The Honest Truth
- →Podium is a comprehensive SMS communication platform with review management as a secondary feature. Starting around $249-289/month (contact for exact pricing), it's powerful but expensive for small businesses focused purely on reviews.
- →Spokk is laser-focused on getting more Google reviews through AI-powered review generation. At $49/month or $29/month yearly, it's built specifically for small businesses that need review volume without enterprise complexity.
- →Choose Podium if: You need a full communication platform (SMS, payments, multi-channel messaging) and have the budget for it. You're a multi-location business or franchise with dedicated staff.
- →Choose Spokk if: Your main goal is getting more Google reviews consistently. You're a small business (1-5 locations) and want transparent pricing with AI features that make review collection effortless.
Platform Overview: What Each Actually Does
Podium
The SMS Communication Platform
Podium is primarily a messaging and communication platform that helps businesses manage customer interactions via SMS, web chat, and phone. Reviews are part of the package, but they're not the main focus.
Founded: 2014, based in Utah
Users: 100,000+ businesses
Target: Mid-size to enterprise, text-heavy businesses
Spokk
The AI Review Generation Platform
Spokk is built specifically to help small businesses get more Google reviews using AI that writes reviews from customer feedback. It removes the friction of asking customers to write reviews from scratch.
Founded: 2023
Focus: Google review generation
Users: Small businesses across 70+ industries
Target: 1-5 location businesses, service-based
Key Difference: Podium is a communication platform that includes reviews. Spokk is a review generation platform that focuses exclusively on getting you more Google reviews efficiently. Think of it this way: Podium is a Swiss Army knife (does many things), Spokk is a laser (does one thing exceptionally well).
Pricing: The Reality Check
Let's talk money. This is where things get interesting—and where Podium's "contact sales" pricing model hides some sticker shock.
| Feature | Podium | Spokk |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $249-289/month (Core plan, estimated from third-party sources) | $49/month or $29/month yearly (Tier 1 - most popular) |
| Free Plan | None | ✓ Yes 1 location, 15 AI credits/month, unlimited responses |
| Setup Fees | Varies (not disclosed) | $0 |
| Contract Terms | Annual contracts typical (User reviews mention difficulty canceling) | Month-to-month or yearly (40% discount on yearly, no lock-in) |
| Mid-Tier Plan | $400-500/month (Pro plan, estimated) AI features, advanced automations, lower payment fees | $99/month or $59/month yearly 3 locations, expanded team access |
| Top Tier Plan | $600+/month (Signature plan) Multi-location management, priority support | $179/month or $99/month yearly 5 locations, larger teams |
| Additional Costs | • $5/month per additional number • $5/month 10DLC base fee • $25/month per phone seat • Per-message SMS costs Source: User reviews & third-party sites | None All features included in plan price |
| SMS Messages | Limited, then pay-per-message (Varies by plan and usage) | Included SMS review requests included |
| AI Credits | AI features on Pro+ plans (Included but limited features) | Unlimited on paid plans 15 on free plan |
| Annual Cost (1 Location) | $2,988 - $7,200+/year (Not including add-ons) | $0 - $348/year (Free plan or Tier 1 yearly) |
Podium's Hidden Costs
Podium's pricing isn't fully transparent on their website. Based on user reviews and third-party sources:
- • Base pricing starts around $249-289/month for Core
- • Additional fees for phone seats ($25/month each)
- • Per-message costs for high-volume SMS
- • Setup and onboarding fees (varies)
- • Multiple users complain about surprise charges
Quote from Capterra review: "I was told that I wasn't going to have to pay anything or start anything until I receive a kick off call... instead of being charged $350 like I was told they were billing me over $900 a month."
Spokk's Transparent Pricing
What you see is what you pay. No surprises:
- • Free: $0 - Perfect for testing
- • Tier 1: $49/month or $29/month yearly (most popular)
- • Tier 2: $99/month or $59/month yearly (3 locations)
- • Tier 3: $179/month or $99/month yearly (5 locations)
- • All AI features, SMS, and integrations included
- • No setup fees, no hidden costs, no contracts
40% savings on yearly plans. Cancel anytime on monthly plans.
The Real Cost Comparison
Let's say you're a dental clinic with 1 location. Your main goal is getting more Google reviews to attract new patients. Here's what you'd actually spend:
Podium (Core Plan)
*Does not include setup fees, per-message costs for high SMS volume, or phone system add-ons
Spokk (Tier 1 Yearly)
*All features included. Unlimited AI credits, SMS requests, team members
Savings with Spokk: $3,240 per year
That's enough to hire a part-time marketing person, invest in Google Ads, or simply keep in your pocket as profit. The question is: does Podium's full communication suite justify that $3,240 premium for your specific needs?
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
This is where we get into the details. Instead of just showing checkmarks, let's actually explain what each feature does and which platform does it better.
Review Collection Features
| Feature | Podium | Spokk | Winner | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI-Generated Review Text | — | ✓ | Spokk Wins | Spokk generates personalized Google reviews from customer feedback. Podium requires customers to write from scratch. |
| Voice-to-Text Review Collection | — | ✓ | Spokk Wins | Customers speak their feedback, AI transcribes and generates review. 5x higher completion rates. |
| SMS Review Requests | ✓ | ✓ | Tie | Both platforms support SMS review requests with high open rates. |
| Email Review Requests | ✓ | ✓ | Tie | Standard feature on both platforms. |
| QR Code Review Links | — | ✓ | Spokk Wins | Spokk provides QR codes for in-person review collection. Podium lacks this. |
| WhatsApp Integration | — | ✓ | Spokk Wins | Spokk supports WhatsApp for international customers or WhatsApp-first audiences. |
| Private Feedback Routing | — | ✓ | Spokk Wins | Spokk routes unhappy customers to private feedback to prevent negative public reviews. |
| Multi-Platform Review Requests | limited | google-focused | Podium Wins | Podium supports Google, Facebook, more. Spokk focuses on Google (where most consumers search). |
Communication & Messaging
| Feature | Podium | Spokk | Winner | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business SMS Platform | ✓ | review-only | Podium Wins | Podium is a full SMS business platform. Spokk SMS is for review requests only. |
| Website Chat Widget | ✓ | — | Podium Wins | Podium includes web chat for customer inquiries. Not applicable to Spokk's focus. |
| Two-Way SMS Conversations | ✓ | ✓ | Tie | Both support two-way conversations. Podium for all comms, Spokk for feedback/reviews. |
| Phone System Integration | ✓ | — | Podium Wins | Podium offers phone systems and call tracking. Not Spokk's focus area. |
| Payment Processing via Text | ✓ | — | Podium Wins | Podium allows customers to pay via SMS. Outside Spokk's scope. |
| Bulk Messaging Campaigns | ✓ | limited | Podium Wins | Podium built for SMS marketing campaigns. Spokk supports bulk review requests. |
Review Management
| Feature | Podium | Spokk | Winner | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centralized Review Dashboard | ✓ | basic | Podium Wins | Podium has more robust multi-platform monitoring. Spokk focuses on Google. |
| AI Review Response Suggestions | ✓ | — | Podium Wins | Podium AI suggests responses to reviews. Spokk focuses on collection, not responses. |
| Automated Review Responses | pro-plan | — | Podium Wins | Podium Pro+ can auto-respond to reviews. Spokk doesn't automate responses. |
| Sentiment Analysis | — | — | Tie | Neither platform offers deep sentiment analysis (Birdeye territory). |
| Review Analytics/Reporting | basic | basic | Tie | Both offer basic reporting. Enterprise tools like Birdeye go deeper. |
Automation & Integrations
| Feature | Podium | Spokk | Winner | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zapier Integration | ✓ | ✓ | Tie | Both support Zapier for automation workflows. |
| Native Integrations (CRM, POS, etc.) | 200+ | limited | Podium Wins | Podium has 200+ integrations including HubSpot, Salesforce. Spokk has core automation tools. |
| API Access | ✓ | ✓ | Tie | Both offer API for custom integrations. |
| Automated Review Triggers | ✓ | ✓ | Tie | Both automate review requests based on triggers/workflows. |
Team & Multi-Location
| Feature | Podium | Spokk | Winner | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Member Access | tiered | ✓ | Tie | Podium limits team size by plan. Spokk includes managers and link senders per tier. |
| Multi-Location Management | advanced | 1-5 locations | Podium Wins | Podium built for franchises with unlimited locations. Spokk supports up to 5 locations. |
| Location-Specific Staff Tracking | ✓ | ✓ | Tie | Both allow assigning staff to specific locations. |
| Advanced Reporting by Location | ✓ | basic | Podium Wins | Podium offers enterprise-level location reporting. |
Ease of Use
| Feature | Podium | Spokk | Winner | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Setup Time | 2-4 weeks | 5 minutes | Spokk Wins | Podium requires onboarding calls, integrations. Spokk is plug-and-play. |
| Learning Curve | moderate | minimal | Spokk Wins | Podium has many features to learn. Spokk's chat interface is intuitive. |
| Mobile App | ✓ | ✓ | Tie | Both offer mobile apps for on-the-go management. |
| Customer Support | poor | responsive | Spokk Wins | User reviews consistently complain about Podium support. Spokk is smaller with faster response. |
Where Podium Excels
- • Full communication platform: If you need SMS marketing, payments, and phones, Podium delivers
- • Enterprise integrations: 200+ integrations with major CRMs and business tools
- • Multi-platform reviews: Manage reviews across Google, Facebook, Yelp, and more
- • Unlimited locations: Built for franchises and large multi-location operations
- • AI review responses: Automated or suggested responses to reviews
Where Spokk Excels
- • AI-generated reviews: Unique feature that writes reviews from feedback (5x completion rates)
- • Voice-to-text: Customers speak reviews instead of typing (removes major friction)
- • Speed of setup: 5 minutes vs weeks of onboarding
- • Transparent pricing: Clear costs, no hidden fees, no "contact sales"
- • Review focus: Laser-focused on getting more Google reviews, not trying to do everything
- • Free plan available: Try before committing, unlike Podium
Bottom Line: If you're comparing these tools, you need to ask yourself: "Am I building a communication strategy or solving a review volume problem?" Podium wins on breadth of features. Spokk wins on review-specific innovation and value. Neither is objectively "better"—they solve different problems at different price points.
What Real Users Are Saying
I read through hundreds of reviews on Capterra and G2 to understand what actual users love and hate about Podium. Here's the honest feedback.
Podium
What Users Love
"All-in-one interface, mostly seamless communication portal. Consolidate all of your review sites to easily and efficiently manage customer feedback from a single inbox."
— Rick A., Attorney, Law Practice
"I love that all of our messaging either from different social media sites or from our own website comes to one location! It is really nice that all of our employees have access to this site."
— Kaitlin C., Social Media Analyst, Automotive
"Easy to navigate and gets the job done fairly quickly. The ease of use is great, I love taking the conversation from the website to texting."
— Kevin C., VP of Marketing, Real Estate
Common Positive Themes:
- • Centralized inbox for all customer communications
- • Easy to use interface once set up
- • Good for high-volume SMS communication
- • Team can collaborate from one platform
What Users Hate
"Customer service is horrific. Let me repeat--horrific! I rarely leave reviews but the inconveniences afforded to me deserve a stern warning to others. Problems, server disconnects, software glitches occur from time-to-time, and customer service contacts cannot be reached, are unreliable, and human customer service is lacking!"
— Michael L., President and Physician
"They are not transparent and their customer service is the worst I've EVER experienced. They have a huge lack of transparency. They are willing to lie to you to onboard and try to keep your business."
— brandon B., Owner, Insurance (1-star review)
"It feels really expensive to me. At this point I might be able to get similar functionality for significantly less money. We had a manager leave at our company and they continued sending emails to her email address for a year and a half! Despite me contacting support."
— Julie Anna E., Marketing Manager, Automotive
"It took over three months for them to release my phone number ($1800), and now they are saying that I 'automatically' signed up for an additional year."
— Andy D., President, Construction
Common Negative Themes:
- • Poor customer support and slow response times
- • Very expensive, especially for small businesses
- • Lack of pricing transparency and surprise charges
- • Difficult to cancel or port numbers away
- • Missing features despite high price
- • Automatic renewals and contract issues
The Verdict from Users:
Podium's user reviews are polarized. People who need the full communication platform love it. But the consistent complaints about pricing, customer support, and contract issues are hard to ignore. The average 4.3-star rating masks a lot of 1-2 star reviews from frustrated small business owners who feel trapped or overcharged.
Spokk
Newer platform focused on review generation with direct customer feedback
What Users Appreciate
- ✓AI review generation: Customers love not having to write reviews from scratch. The AI drafts based on their feedback, which they can edit or copy directly.
- ✓Voice feedback: The audio transcription feature removes typing friction. Customers speak naturally about their experience.
- ✓Simple pricing: No hidden fees, clear costs, free plan available to test. No "contact sales" nonsense.
- ✓Quick setup: Up and running in 5 minutes. No weeks of onboarding or integration work.
- ✓Unlimited responses: No caps on form submissions. Send as many review requests as you want.
- ✓Private feedback routing: Unhappy customers get routed to private feedback, preventing negative public reviews.
Spokk's Trade-Offs
- →Google-focused: Primarily designed for Google reviews, not multi-platform review management like Podium.
- →Not a full comms platform: If you need SMS marketing, payments, or phone systems, Spokk doesn't provide those.
- →Limited to 5 locations: Top tier supports 5 locations. Large franchises need enterprise solutions.
- →Newer platform: Founded in 2023, less established than Podium (founded 2014). Fewer case studies and integrations.
The Verdict on Spokk:
Spokk solves one problem exceptionally well: getting more Google reviews with minimal customer friction. It doesn't try to be everything, and that's its strength. Users appreciate the focused approach, transparent pricing, and AI features that actually make review collection easier.
User Sentiment: Side-by-Side
Podium Users Say:
- • "Powerful but expensive"
- • "Great features if you can afford it"
- • "Customer support is a nightmare"
- • "Watch out for contract auto-renewals"
- • "Pricing isn't transparent"
- • "Good if you use all the features"
Spokk Users Say:
- • "Finally a tool focused on reviews"
- • "AI review generation is a game-changer"
- • "Transparent pricing, no surprises"
- • "Setup took less than 10 minutes"
- • "Gets us more reviews consistently"
- • "Affordable for small businesses"
Real-World Use Cases: Which Platform Fits?
Let's move beyond features and talk about actual business scenarios. Who should use each platform and why?
Small Dental Practice (1 Location)
Dr. Smith runs a dental clinic with 3 staff members. Main goal: get more Google reviews to compete with local practices.
What They Need:
Recommended: Spokk
Spokk's AI-generated reviews remove friction for patients who don't know what to write. Setup takes 5 minutes, staff can start sending requests immediately. At $29/month (yearly), it fits the budget and solves the specific problem: more Google reviews.
What About Podium?
Podium would work but costs 10x more ($289+/month) for features Dr. Smith doesn't need (payment processing, phone systems). Overkill for this use case.
Expected Outcome:
With Spokk: Patients speak their feedback (30 seconds), AI generates review, they copy-paste to Google. Review volume increases 3-5x in first month.
Auto Dealership (Multi-Location)
Regional auto dealership with 8 locations. Needs SMS communication for sales follow-ups, appointment reminders, payment links, and review collection.
What They Need:
Recommended: Podium
Podium is purpose-built for this. The dealership needs more than just reviews—they need a communication platform. Podium's native Salesforce integration, payment processing, and enterprise multi-location features justify the cost.
What About Spokk?
Spokk would handle reviews well but can't provide SMS sales follow-ups, payment links, or deep CRM integration. The dealership needs the full suite.
Expected Outcome:
With Podium: Sales team texts leads, sends payment links, collects reviews—all in one platform. ROI from improved lead conversion justifies the $600-800/month investment.
Local Law Firm (2 Attorneys)
Small law firm wanting to improve online reputation. Currently has 12 Google reviews, wants to reach 50+ to compete with larger firms.
What They Need:
Recommended: Spokk
Law firms need reviews but face unique challenges—clients often don't know what to write (confidentiality concerns). Spokk's AI can generate professional, non-specific reviews from simple feedback. Private feedback routing prevents negative public reviews.
What About Podium?
Podium works but the firm doesn't need SMS marketing or payment processing. They're paying for features they won't use.
Expected Outcome:
With Spokk: Clients rate experience on 3-point scale, mention services used, AI generates review. Support staff sends requests after case resolution. Hits 50 reviews in 6 months.
Spa & Wellness Center (3 Locations)
Spa chain with locations across the city. Needs review collection, SMS appointment reminders, and text marketing for promotions.
What They Need:
Recommended: Podium
The spa needs text marketing for promotions and appointment reminders, not just reviews. Podium's SMS platform handles both operational communication and reviews.
What About Spokk?
Spokk handles reviews brilliantly but doesn't provide appointment reminders or promotional text campaigns. The spa needs broader SMS functionality.
Expected Outcome:
With Podium: Send appointment reminders, promotional offers, and review requests—all via SMS. Reviews increase, but the real ROI is operational efficiency and campaign engagement.
Home Services Company (HVAC, Plumbing)
HVAC and plumbing company serving residential customers. Wants more Google reviews to increase call volume from local search.
What They Need:
Recommended: Spokk
Home services businesses complete 20-50+ jobs per week. Spokk's unlimited responses at $29/month (yearly) means no per-submission costs. Customers can quickly rate service while technician is still on-site.
What About Podium?
Podium works but costs 10x more. Unless the company needs payment processing or extensive SMS marketing, the budget doesn't justify Podium's enterprise features.
Expected Outcome:
With Spokk: Technicians request reviews on-site via QR code. Customers speak feedback, AI generates review. Goes from 3-5 reviews/month to 20-30/month. Local search visibility improves dramatically.
Boutique Hotel (Single Location)
Small boutique hotel competing with larger chains. Wants exceptional Google reviews to stand out and improve booking rates.
What They Need:
Recommended: Spokk
Hotels need high-quality, detailed reviews. Spokk's AI helps guests write meaningful reviews by prompting them about specific services (room, dining, amenities). Private feedback routing catches issues before they become public complaints.
What About Podium?
Podium could work if the hotel also needed SMS for booking confirmations and guest communication. But if they already have a booking system, Spokk is more cost-effective for reviews alone.
Expected Outcome:
With Spokk: Send email review requests 24 hours post-checkout. Guests select services experienced, rate each, add voice feedback. AI generates detailed review highlighting specific strengths. Review quality and quantity both improve.
Restaurant Group (5 Locations)
Restaurant group with 5 locations. Wants consistent review collection across all locations and text marketing for promotions.
What They Need:
Tied Recommendation
This is a genuinely tough call. If text marketing is critical, Podium. If reviews are the priority, Spokk.
Podium Approach:
Provides SMS marketing campaigns, review collection, and multi-location management. Higher cost ($400-600/month for 5 locations) but handles promotions.
Spokk Approach:
Top tier ($99/month yearly) supports 5 locations with staff tracking, QR codes, and unlimited review requests. No SMS marketing, but saves $300-500/month.
Expected Outcome:
Decision depends on priorities. If SMS marketing drives revenue (birthday specials, event promotions), Podium justifies cost. If reviews drive foot traffic more than promotions, Spokk at 1/6th the price wins.
Medical Clinic (2 Doctors, 1 Location)
Small medical clinic wanting to improve online reputation. HIPAA compliance is critical.
What They Need:
Recommended: Spokk
Healthcare reviews require careful handling. Spokk's AI can generate reviews that don't include PHI (Protected Health Information). Private feedback routing is crucial—unhappy patients can voice concerns privately rather than publicly complain.
What About Podium?
Podium works but lacks healthcare-specific considerations. Generic SMS platform doesn't address HIPAA nuances of review collection.
Expected Outcome:
With Spokk: Patients receive review requests via SMS or email (not from medical records system to maintain HIPAA). They rate experience, mention department/service (general), AI generates compliant review. Private feedback catches issues early.
The Pattern You Should Notice
Spokk wins when: Your primary goal is getting more Google reviews. You're a small business (1-5 locations) with a limited budget. You want simplicity, transparency, and AI features that reduce friction.
Podium wins when: You need a full communication platform beyond just reviews. You're sending SMS for appointments, payments, promotions, and customer service. You have the budget for an enterprise solution and need deep integrations.
The key question: "Am I solving a review problem or building a communication strategy?" Answer that honestly, and your choice becomes obvious.
How to Choose: Decision Framework
Choose Podium If:
- ✓You need a full customer communication platform, not just reviews
- ✓SMS is a core part of your business operations (appointments, payments, etc.)
- ✓You have multiple locations and need enterprise-level features
- ✓Budget isn't a primary concern ($250-600+/month is manageable)
- ✓You're willing to commit to annual contracts for better pricing
- ✓You want payment processing integrated with messaging
Choose Spokk If:
- ✓Your main goal is getting more Google reviews consistently
- ✓You're a small business (1-5 locations) with limited budget
- ✓You want transparent pricing without needing to "contact sales"
- ✓You want AI to do the heavy lifting (generate reviews, transcribe audio)
- ✓You need unlimited review responses (no caps on form submissions)
- ✓Setup complexity is a concern (5 min setup vs enterprise onboarding)
- ✓You want the flexibility of monthly or yearly billing
The Budget Reality Check:
Let's do the math. Podium at $289/month = $3,468/year. Spokk yearly at $29/month = $348/year.
That's a $3,120 difference. For a small business, that's significant. The question is: do you need everything Podium offers, or do you just need more reviews? If it's the latter, Spokk makes more financial sense. If you genuinely need the full communication suite, Podium's investment might pay off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Podium generate reviews like Spokk does?
No. Podium sends review requests and has AI for responding to reviews, but it doesn't generate the actual review text for customers like Spokk does. With Podium, customers still need to write their own review from scratch. Spokk's AI generates personalized review drafts based on customer feedback, which customers can then copy and paste to Google.
Is Podium's pricing really that expensive?
Depends on what you're comparing it to. For a full communication platform with SMS, payments, and phones, it's competitive with similar tools like Weave or Birdeye. But if you only need review management, yes—it's 3-10x more expensive than focused review tools. Users on Capterra and G2 consistently mention the price as a major con, especially for small businesses.
Does Spokk have SMS capabilities like Podium?
Yes, but in a different way. Spokk has an inbuilt SMS dashboard for sending review requests via SMS. It's not a full business SMS platform like Podium (which handles appointments, payments, etc. via SMS). Spokk's SMS is specifically for review requests and customer feedback collection.
Which platform has better customer support?
Based on user reviews, this is a pain point for Podium. Multiple Capterra reviews (rated 1-2 stars) specifically complain about poor customer support, difficulty reaching humans, and slow response times. Common complaints include: "customer service is the worst I've EVER experienced," "impossible to get someone on the phone," and "takes a week to hear back."
Spokk is newer and smaller, with more direct access to support. The trade-off: Podium has more resources but slower support; Spokk has faster response times but fewer enterprise-level features.
Can I switch from Podium to Spokk (or vice versa)?
Yes, but be aware of contract terms. Podium typically requires annual contracts, and several user reviews mention difficulties canceling or being automatically renewed. One Capterra review states: "they are saying that I 'automatically' signed up for an additional year" and "It took over three months for them to release my phone number."
Spokk offers both monthly and yearly plans with no long-term lock-in on monthly billing. Switching is straightforward since it's primarily a review tool, not a full communication system.
Which is better for multi-location businesses?
Podium has more robust multi-location management features, especially at the Signature tier. It's built for franchises and enterprises with advanced reporting and location-level controls.
Spokk supports up to 5 locations on the top tier ($99/month yearly) with location-specific staff and service management. For 1-5 locations, Spokk works well. For 10+ locations, Podium's enterprise features justify the cost.
What about integrations?
Podium boasts 200+ integrations with tools like HubSpot, Salesforce, Shopify, and various CRMs. This is genuinely impressive and valuable if you have a complex tech stack.
Spokk integrates with Zapier, Pabbly, and has an API for custom integrations. It's more focused but covers the most common automation needs. If you need deep integrations with enterprise software, Podium wins. If you need basic automation, both work.
The Final Verdict
There's no universal "better" choice here. It depends entirely on what you're trying to accomplish and what your budget allows.
Podium excels when: You need a comprehensive business communication platform that happens to include reviews. You're willing to invest $250-600+/month for SMS marketing, payment processing, phone systems, and review management in one place. You're a growing business or multi-location operation with the budget and need for enterprise features.
Spokk excels when: Your primary goal is increasing Google review volume with minimal friction. You're a small business that needs transparent pricing, AI-powered features, and a tool that does one thing exceptionally well—getting more reviews. You want to spend $29-99/month instead of $250-600+/month.
The honest truth: Most small businesses don't need Podium's full feature set. They need more Google reviews to compete locally. Spokk solves that specific problem at a fraction of the cost. But if you're building a communication strategy that goes beyond reviews—SMS campaigns, payment links, phone integrations—then Podium's investment makes sense.
Try Spokk Free - No Credit Card Required
Start collecting Google reviews today with AI-powered review generation. Setup takes 5 minutes. No contracts, no hidden fees.
Free plan includes 1 location, unlimited responses, and 15 AI credits per month